The Olneyville times. (Olneyville [Providence, R.I.]) 1887-1917, 1887-09-24

brook an insult or bear 10 be tramped
on.
When first read your singing in-
suit In the paper / became delirious
with passion, aud although I am not
related 10 the Knickerbockers my
breath came in short pants.
The DE Nyes are pleasant people 10
meet, but the man who infuriates one
Of them is liable TO meander up the
fume IN an oblique manner. Pardon
any thing sir, in this communication
which may sound harsh or clash with
the smooth and scholarly style Of assas-
snation peculiar to the Code. | desire
10 meet you in mortal combat, but
want TO do it in a polished way. and |
desire 10 word this note 80 that it will
read well in print, like other chal-
lenges.
/ have consulted several friends
about the prospect Of our meeting in a
duel at no distant day. and all Of them
seem to be highly gratiied. 1t affords
me great pleasure To know that | go
into this thing with the hearty indorse-
ment and godspeed Of all, without dis
tinction. II you would prefer 10 wait
"A few weeks, till the weather is cooler,
so that YOU can lie in state longer,
will try to muzzle my wrath, but would
advise you not to cross my trail in the
meantime.
NV second will no doubt inform you
that | am an expert and deadly swords
man, and will try to convince you that
it will be best not To name the sword.
DO not be too proud to heed his ed-
vice. II may save your life and minc
also,
hope you VIII not treat this chal-
lcnge lightly. sir, and try still further
to heap ridicule upon an old and mill
dewed name by suggesting soft gloves
or watermclons ~ weapons les Us
meet as gentlemen, sir-iire and fall
down. staggcr 10 our feet, lean heavily
against tree, mutter few words in "a
hoarsc voice, gasp two times in rapid
succession, put on our coats, aud go
home
! feel almost certain, sir. that yOu
will treat this note in q sighting and
iaunty manner, but | beg that YOU will
not do so. tor tho sake Of the Tidds,
who were always n plain but rather
pleasant set of people, and for the sake
Of the De Nycs. whose only fault has
been their fondnos~ fpr f,eah. hot
blood, furnished by other parties; for
the sake Of all our ancestors, sir, let me
beg Of you to assist in making this duel
n succcss.
If have been brutal in the wording
Of this challenge, sir. or violated tho
Code, or misspellcd any words, will
you please have it corrected before YOU
send it to the printer? ask this favor
Of YOU in all sincerity and in aa courto-
ou5 manner IA possible, hoping that
you will grant it promptly and that
you will lose no opportunity to do all
the good you can during the next few
days.
| have arranged all my earthly af-
fairs with the exception of paying my
PURITAN ndNc lHluth bll lllt Sdn
meter and am prepared for any acci-
dent, though the police have promised
to como IN and arrest Us at any time wo
may agree upon,
In closing. sir. allow me TO express
the hope that you will surely be at the
duel and that you will bring your din
ncr,
Ny second will offer you the choice
of weapons, with an opportunity for re-
traction. Ii YOU enter into life and its
'nioymcnts with real zest, would adj
wise YOU to avail yourself Of the oppor-
tunily TO rctract, for, although, sir, |
would be u great deal happier with
your hearts blood, the rctraction will
DO me just as well, and you need not
humliate youasclf in writing it. | do
hot ask you, sir, to groycL You can
write rctraction which will not COM
promise you at all and yet one that will
give me much pleasure.
In the meantime, sir, | shall remain
ut the above address, awaiting your
decision, and whatever it may be, sir, |
beg To remain your most obcdicnt an
tagcnist and wcll-wishcr,
WILLIAM De NYE,
Formerly Duke of Swectwater County
and Referee during the Modoc War,
" \, JIOrH.
THE DROUGHT or 1919,